1. Agfa vs. Gucci: A Landmark Case in the Potential of UPC
2. AIM Sport and Supponor: The First UPC Judgment via Europe-wide Tactics
3. Amgen vs. Sanofi and Regeneron: Reviving Patent Cases in Europe and UPC
4. Apixaban Dispute: Setting Precedent for Plausibility in the Netherlands
5. Formycon and Janssen Biotech: Testing the EU SPC Waiver in Munich
6. G1/22 and G2/22: Simplifying Transfer of Priority Rights by the Enlarged Board of Appeal
7. High-profile COVID-19 Vaccine Battles Across Europe
8. Panasonic vs. Xiaomi and Oppo: The First SEP Suits at the UPC
9. InterDigital vs. Lenovo: A Landmark FRAND Judgment by the UK Court
10. UK IPO Suspends AI Patents Guidelines Following High Court Judgment
In a year marked by significant patent disputes, JUVE Patent has released its list of the top 10 patent cases in Europe for 2023. The list includes high-profile cases involving major companies such as Agfa, Gucci, Amgen, Sanofi, Regeneron, and more.
The case between Agfa and Gucci showcases the potential of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) as a venue for patent disputes. Agfa accused Gucci of using its patented method for decorating leather products, a case that could have significant implications for the consumer goods industry.
Amgen’s revival of patent cases against Sanofi and Regeneron at the UPC has also made headlines. The dispute, which centers on cholesterol-lowering drugs, has seen a resurgence in 2023 with both sides filing suits over new patents.
The AIM Sport and Supponor case led to the first UPC judgment, demonstrating the court’s potential for handling complex patent disputes. The case involved targeted advertising technology for sports stadiums.
The Apixaban dispute set a precedent for plausibility in the Netherlands, with Bristol-Myers Squibb triumphing over generics Stada, Teva, and Sandoz in a dispute over the blood-clot drug apixaban.
The G1/22 and G2/22 cases saw the Enlarged Board of Appeal simplify the transfer of priority rights, ending a years-long practice that often complicated patent applications.
High-profile COVID-19 vaccine battles also made the list, with disputes over mRNA patents between Moderna and CureVac, and BioNTech and Pfizer, causing significant disruption.
Panasonic launched the first Standard Essential Patent (SEP) suits against Xiaomi and Oppo at the UPC, marking a significant development in the ongoing global SEP dispute.
The UK court handed down a landmark FRAND judgment in the case between InterDigital and Lenovo, determining a FRAND rate and ruling on the payment of interest.
Finally, the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) suspended guidelines on AI patents following a High Court judgment, signaling a potential shift in AI patenting.
These cases highlight the evolving landscape of patent disputes in Europe, with significant implications for industries ranging from consumer goods to pharmaceuticals and technology.